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Dunn Gardens collection, 1890-2024

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Dunn Gardens; Dunn, Edward B. (Edward Bernard), 1904-1991
Title
Dunn Gardens collection
Dates
1890-2024 (inclusive)
Quantity
44.82 cubic feet, (59 boxes, 1 film reel)
Collection Number
6622
Summary
Records of a public garden and personal papers of its original owners
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Note

In 1914 Arthur G. Dunn purchased 10 acres of undeveloped rural land in what is now the Broadview neighborhood of Seattle. He hired the Olmsted Brothers to select a location for a cottage and design a landscape plan for what would become the Dunn family's summer "country place." The landscaping plan included irregular groupings of spring-flowering shrubs, large drifts of bulbs, and deciduous trees. Arthur Dunn implemented the design himself; he was a keen and knowledgeable gardener and took considerable pride in his garden. The summer home was designed by the Seattle architectural firm of Bebb and Gould in 1915.

After Arthur G. Dunn's death in 1945, his children Edward B. Dunn and Dorothy Bayley became the primary caretakers of the property. Edward converted the garage into living quarters and remained on the property while making extensive changes to the landscape. A lifelong gardening enthusiast, Edward B. Dunn developed a woodland garden with winding trails and filled it with blooming flora native to the Pacific Northwest, particularly rhododendrons. He was president of the American Rhododendron Society (1965-1969) and the Seattle Arboretum Foundation (1957-1960) and was a founding member and president of the Species Rhododendron Society.

Two years following Edward B. Dunn's death in 1991, the E. B. Dunn Historic Garden Trust was established to manage the property. In 1994 Dunn Gardens was added to the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be open to the public.

Sources: https://dunngardens.org/about-the-gardens/history-and-archive/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunn_Gardens, both accessed 6/12/2025

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Content Description

Records and photographs related to Dunn Gardens, the E. B. Dunn Historical Garden Trust, and the extended Dunn family. It also includes records from Ainsworth & Dunn, the Seattle fish cannery founded by Arthur G. Dunn and Elton Ainsworth.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series

  • Series 1, (DT) The E.B. Dunn Historic Garden Trust records
  • Series 2, (EG) Edward Dunn House and Garden records
  • Series 3, (AD) Ainsworth & Dunn records
  • Series 4, (EF) Edward Dunn Family records
  • Series 5, (EP) Edward Dunn papers

Acquisition Information

Gift of E. B. Dunn Historic Garden Trust , February 2025

Processing Note

The Dunn Gardens Archives was originally established in 1993 and held onsite at the Dunn Gardens property. The archives were processed and managed internally for twenty years by several different archivists. The the series codes (e.g. DT, EG) were created by Dunn Gardens archivists; both the coded titles and original order have been retained. A donor copy of the finding aid is located in Box 2.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Fish Company
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